Canada the clear favourite, but they can’t underestimate Qatar
It’s easy to think Canada has today’s game in the bag, especially after looking at Qatar’s FIFA ranking, their recent form (one win in their last 13 games) and Switzerland’s statistical domination in their opener.
But as an avid viewer of Asian soccer (#YallaLebanon), I’m warning that Qatar is a side that shouldn’t be underestimated.
The Maroons probably play their best soccer when they’re not under pressure to perform. Their 2022 World Cup performance — and the high expectations that came with hosting it — was sandwiched between two surprising AFC Asian Cup championships.
Across those two title runs, Qatar beat the likes of Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Iraq, Jordan and Uzbekistan — all teams currently playing in this year’s World Cup.
Qatar currently boasts two-time AFC Asian Footballer of the Year Akram Afif, who’s by far the most gifted player on this squad. Lively and clinical attacker Almoez Ali, who scored 12 goals in 2026 World Cup qualifiers, is also someone they can call upon, though he didn’t make an appearance against Switzerland.
Is Canada still the clear favourite? Yes, no question about it. But the Maroons have shown when the pressure is off and the odds are against them, they can grab a surprising result.
Canada must be more clinical than the Swiss were on Saturday to kill off any chances of suffering a similar shock result.
